The Militär-Verdienstorden was Bavaria’s main decoration for bravery and military merit for officers and higher-ranking officials. It established by King Ludwig II of Bavaria on July 19, 1866 and ranked below the Militär-Max-Joseph-Orden (Military Order of Max Joseph).

The design was of a Maltese cross of blue enamel with a center medallion. Between the arms of were golden flames (silver flames for the 4th Class). The obverse of the center medallion had a gold crowned "L" cipher (for the founder King Ludwig II) on the black-enameled center and the word "MERENTI" on a ring of white enamel edged in gold (later silver-gilt). The reverse had a gold Bavarian lion on black enamel with the date of founding, “1866”, on the white-enameled ring.

By World War I, the order had six classes, with the rank of a recipient determining the level of the award:

• Grand Cross (Großkreuz) - Cross worn from a sash with a breast star
• 1st Class (1. Klasse) - Smaller cross worn from a sash with a breast star
• 2nd Class (2. Klasse) - Smaller cross worn from a ribbon around the neck
• Officer’s Cross (Offizierskreuz) - Pinback cross worn on the lower left chest; the cross had an elongated lower arm.
• 3rd Class (3. Klasse) - Smaller cross worn from a ribbon on the upper left chest.
• 4th Class (4. Klasse) - Same cross as the 3rd Class, except with silver flames

For wartime or combat awards, the order was awarded with swords. The 3rd and 4th classes could also be awarded with a crown, indicating a higher or repeat award. Awards to officials aiding the war effort were typically made with a different ribbon, the Band für Kriegsverdienst.

There was also a Military Merit Cross associated with the order, which was open to non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers.

The prewar awards to Paech and Schneider were of the 4th Class without swords.